DIY Installation

Trim-A-Slab is extremely easy to install. You will need pruning shears, or one of our expansion joint cutters to do the installation.

The first thing and potentially the most difficult is the joint preparation. Unlike the gooey stuff and other expansion joint products, Trim-A-Slab requires only a 1.5 inch minimum depth; the joint needs no further work. You will not need to back-fill to get a precise depth, or add any filler strips. Just clear at least 1.5 inches, and you are done. In areas about 10 years old in Southeast Texas, about 50% of the boards are ‘ripe’ and easily removed. The indications are dropped or protruded boards, or partially missing boards, as shown in the figures below. Many times a board that seems OK and merely looks weathered is actually rotten from below.

Board Has Dropped Down

Missing Pieces

We recommend getting under the board from the slab edge and prying up, but this can damage the concrete edges if you are not careful. If you cannot access the edge, you can also drill into the board, install a lag bolt half way, then pry up on the bolt head. This technique works better the more the boards are structurally sound. Please exercise caution, and use safety glasses and gloves for this work. If this seems like it is too much hassle, or you don’t want to risk damaging your concrete, check out the map below for a list of contractors who will take care of the job for you.

Now for the installation: just push it in until flush, and cut to length. Hand pressure is usually all it takes. You may also find that stepping on the installed trim seats it better than doing it by hand. The three steps below show how to make an edge cut.

Press In

Cut With Pruning Shears

Press Flat

We like to place the strip as close as we can to its final position for the cut. Our expansion joint cutter produces a straight, clean edge. Lastly, press the free end flush like the rest of the strip.

Trim-A-Slab is available in 25 and 50 ft rolls (depending on the size: 1/2″ and 3/4″ are 50 ft rolls, the larger sizes are 25′ roills), which weigh less than 20 pounds each, so if you do want to install yourself, it’s easy to handle. If you aren’t the do-it-yourself type, Contact a Trim-A-Slab installer, who will take care of the whole job for you.